Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
|
|
Cities are urged to submit letters expressing an oppose unless amended position on SB 9 (Atkins), which would require a local government to ministerially approve a housing development containing two residential units in single-family residential zones, and approve urban lot splits. This bill will be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee tomorrow, April 22. Contact your Senator with a letter opposing the measure unless it is amended as soon as possible. Take action! OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED SB 9 (Atkins) (Sample letter.docx)
|
|
Cities are urged to submit letters of opposition on SB 556 (Dodd), which would require local governments to make space available on street light poles, traffic signal poles, utility poles, and other public infrastructure to telecommunications providers without recognizing local authority to manage public rights-of-way preserved in federal law. This bill will be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee tomorrow, April 22. Contact your Senator with a letter opposing the measure as soon as possible. Take action! OPPOSE SB 556 (Dodd) ( Sample letter.docx)
|
|
Cal Cities is tracking, monitoring, and engaging on nearly 1,885 bills this legislative session that have a potential impact to cities, and many of these proposed bills face fast approaching legislative deadlines in the coming weeks. City officials are encouraged to get involved in Cal Cities’ advocacy efforts by visiting the Cal Cities’ Action Center and registering for the Legislative Action Days and spring legislative briefing webinar. Read more
|
|
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it will provide a 100 percent federal cost share reimbursement to cities for eligible Project Roomkey activities, and the California Office of Emergency Services presented guidance to help cities navigate the reimbursement process during the latest Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery webinar on April 21. Read more
|
|
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), through its rulemaking process, has been considering revisions to their Rule 20 undergrounding program, which lays out guidelines and procedures for undergrounding overhead electric facilities. On April 7, CPUC President Marybel Batjer issued a tentative decision regarding the Rule 20 program. Read more
|
|
Message from the Executive Director |
|
Tuesday’s guilty verdict of a former Minneapolis police officer in the killing of George Floyd on a street corner almost a year ago cannot erase the pain and suffering of Mr. Floyd’s family; nor does it solve the longstanding issues of systemic inequities that exist in our country. However, it does offer some accountability as we continue on the road towards meaningful justice and equitable treatment for all. Read more
|
|
Lots of developments have happened in the past week for cities who are charting their path to recovery from the pandemic. The California Office of Emergency Services released new guidance on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cost reimbursement for Project Roomkey, a $110 million funding opportunity is available from the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released steps cities can take now to prepare for American Rescue Plan funds. Read more
|
|
Tuesday, May 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m. — Join the League of California Cities legislative team for a briefing on critical issues facing cities in the 2021 legislative session. Lobbyists will provide detailed information on key bills pending in the Legislature, including measures pertaining to COVID-19 response and recovery; local land use authority and affordable housing; homelessness issues and funding opportunities; disaster response funding and policy; public safety, cannabis, and police reforms; budget proposals; and other issues of importance to cities. Presenters: Deputy Executive Director Melanie Perron; Assistant Legislative Director Jason Rhine; Legislative Representatives Derek Dolfie, Nick Romo, Bijan Mehryar, Elisa Arcidiacono; and Policy Analysts Johnnie Piña and Caroline Cirrincione. Register now
|
|
May 12-13, 10-11:30 a.m. — Join hundreds of your fellow League of California Cities members for this two-day free virtual advocacy event. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special opportunity to address local priority issues with the California state Legislature and Administration. Advocacy topics will include COVID-19 response and recovery, affordable housing, homelessness, critical infrastructure, and other legislation of importance to cities. Register now
|
|
Looking ahead at growing population demands, many cities are embarking on infrastructure modernization projects to ensure water reliability. They are also taking a long view and designing these projects with climate change in mind. As droughts and warmer temperatures become more common, cities are on the front lines working to ensure their residents have a sustainable source of water now and into the future. Read more
|
|
An affordable housing property has been acquired for middle-income residents in the city of Glendale from the issuance of more than $339 million in tax-exempt bonds through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority’s new Workforce Housing Program. The project will assure available housing for those that earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing, but cannot afford to live where they work. Read more
|
|
Serving on the League of California Cities Board of Directors is an opportunity for city officials to be a statewide leader shaping state policy and the actions of the organization. Cal Cities is currently accepting applications from city officials interested in serving on the board in one of six at-large positions or as second vice president. Apply by close of business, April 27. Read more
|
|
The deadline for the Legislature’s policy committees to send fiscal bills to the appropriations committees is next Friday, April 30. To meet that deadline, dozens of bills are scheduled to be heard in the Senate and Assembly in the coming days, including many key bills that would impact cities. Read more
|
|
Friday, April 23, 11 a.m. — Join this webinar to hear how elected officials and nonprofit leaders are navigating complicated issues like race-based violence and hate crimes. Learn timely tips about how to #stopAAPIhate, discuss discrimination, and do more than just issue a public statement. This webinar is part of the Institute for Local Government's (ILG) new leadership series, LEADING LOCAL, which will serve as a thought leadership forum on challenging topics and issues local government leaders face. Presenters: Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee, Cal State San Bernardino Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism Professor Brian Levin, Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Executive Director Yen Marshall, Temecula City Clerk and Legislative Director Randi Johl, and Elk Grove Council Member and Executive Director of Asian Resources, Inc. Stephanie Nguyen. Read more
|
|
Thursday, May 6, 2 p.m. — The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted economic opportunity and the ability for California residents to afford housing costs. While the pandemic has created a number of challenges, local governments have formed partnerships and explored unique strategies to help their residents stay housed. Participants will hear about programs and tactics local governments have put in place, including rental assistance, tenant protection, and anti-displacement practices. This webinar is part of ILG’s new leadership series, Tackling California’s Housing Crisis, to help local governments better address housing issues in our communities. Read more
|
|
Elisa Arcidiacono, legislative representative for the League of California Cities, said in a statement that the league does not take positions on ballot measures that have not officially qualified. “However, any position Cal Cities would take in the future would derive from a robust process driven by our member cities and in the best interest of their communities. The objective of Cal Cities is to advocate in support of local control as it relates to all issues, cannabis included,” Arcidiacono said.
Mullin won a 2004 Pantheon Award for his public support of the sciences and a 2005 League of California Cities Legislator of the Year Award for leading the region on housing issues. His work to pass Measure K has pumped millions in local tax dollars into affordable housing countywide, MidPen Housing Corporation Policy Director Nevada Merriman wrote in a San Mateo Daily Journal opinion piece last week.
This bill, coupled with SB 556, which proposes to preempt local government control of wireless deployments on street lights and traffic lights, would hand the wireless industry free reign to deploy their facilities on public assets in local streets at the public’s risk and expense. The League of California Cities opposes both bills. Contact your Assembly members to ensure your voice is heard.
|
|
April 22
April 27
April 27
April 28
|
|
May 4
May 4
May 12-13
May 18
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Municipal Finance Institute
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Annual Conference & Expo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
